UN says respects Kenya’s decision to withdraw peacekeepers

November 4, 2016 (JUBA) - The head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operation (DPKO) of the United Nations said the world body respects the sovereign position of the Kenyan government to pull its peacekeeping troops from South Sudan.

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission, Herve Ladsous speaking in Juba (UNMISS photo)

"It is their sovereign decision but I respect that but of course I regret it and we are assessing what consequences this will have on the regional protection force that was recently decided upon by the UN Security Council that we are trying into existence as soon as possible,” said Hervé Ladsous,

Ladsous was speaking to the media at a press conference on Thursday evening at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. He was reacting to Kenya’s rejection of the UN Secretary General’s decision in which he recommended the sacking of the force commander, who hails from Kenya, from the UN mission in South Sudan.

Kenya argued that failure of the mission was systemic to the individual commander.

The UN chief, Ban Ki-moon asked for the sacking of General Johnson Ondieki, after an internal investigation found that the mission failed to protect civilians in Juba in July.

The UN, Ladsous said, has established a task force to carry out the recommendations of the report, which include ensuring greater accountability of the mission’s leadership.

He said the recommendation of the internal report has already been approved for implementation and the world’s body will just continue with the implementation.

“The Secretary-General has approved these recommendations, so we will try to move things forward as quickly as possible,” he said, further stressing that the world body was also assessing what consequences the Kenyan government decision will have on the regional protection force its 15-member Security Council approved in September.

“That of course is something we are the first to regret very much because Kenya has been a solid contributor of troops and police to the peace keeping operations,” he added.

(ST)

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The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

5 November 2016 06:59, by Ajongtar

No regrets, I regreted for the UN mission in South Sudan of being without Head of mission and force conmernder.

I urge Mr. Ki Moon to appoint Mr. Williams David Gressly to Head that fragile UN mission in South Sudan urgently be genocide takes its path.

Kenyan govt has betrayed its people by making this unpopular decision that based on lack of angry management. also on it tried out to get its angry by deporting James Gatdet Dak to u nresponsible govt in Juba though the govt of know its endangered the life of innocent man.the deportation is made to pleasant kiir-Taban govt and to angry splm IO so war will go on while Kenya gov’t withdraw its parti

Lt.Gen. Ondieki is a close relative of Pres. Uhuru. The office and luxury general can’t be compared with South Sudanese generals who have experiences of bush wars and are seasoned fighters. He is a pen-general and not a AK-47 general. So maybe he hid himself under his bed when fighting was really hot in Juba.

I thought Makuei Lueth & Martin Elia said they won’t accept troops from our neighbors. What changed now begging Kenyans to keep their troops? was he lying as usual like his name. Kenyan troops are for dollars which they will lose due to Uhuru miscalculation. I would love troops who are brave & never compromise civilians safety. Ethiopians, Chadians are better than non principled Uhru troops

Kenyatta is on hotpot within Kenya politic and corruption against his government. "Anger management" indeed you are right. These decisions to pull out international body and deportation of opposition to enemy caught many Kenyans by surprise I guess. he knows he is going to lost election 2017. Also he want to appease Kiir-Taban to let his KCB restated after it operation suspended.

Kenya should not be allowed to take part in any future AU or UN missions. It has absconded it’s responsibilities and I think Foreign Minister Amina Mohammed is not fit to be the next AU Sec. Gen. The AU Secretariat will turn into a mafia organization where money will be stolen in broad daylight.

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